Austin Airways | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was on a non-scheduled flight from Moosonee to Nemiscan Settlement. The pilot stated that he used the rear fuel tanks for takeoff and cruise and that they contained about 150 gallons of fuel, with about 10-15 gallons in each of the front tanks. The power settings used for the flight were about 28 inches manifold pressure and 2050 rpm with automatic lean mixture. About 50 minutes after takeoff the left engine fuel pressure dropped to zero, and the engine failed. The booster pumps were switched on and the tank selections were changed without effect. At this time the right engine fuel pressure dropped to zero, and the engine failed. Attempts to re-start were unsuccessful and when the aircraft was 200 ft above the ground the pilot realized he could not reach the Rupert River. A forced landing was made into trees about 1000 ft from the river with the undercarriage down. Both pilots were severely injured.
Examination of the wreckage showed that the front fuel tanks were empty and no fuel had apparently been used from either of the rear tanks.

Probable cause:

Engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Kangiqsujuaq

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1959

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Operator:

Registration:

CF-FHE

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

YOM:

1948

Location:

Kangiqsualujjuaq (Wakeham Bay)

Quebec

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

5500

Circumstances:

While taking off from a remote terrain located about 35 km southwest of Kangiqsujuaq (Wakeham Bay), the single engine aircraft failed to get airborne, veered off runway and came to rest upside down. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Engine failure caused by a fuel starvation due to a pilot inattention to fuel system (fuel selector on wrong tank, empty).

Crash of a Canadian-Vickers PBV-1A Canso off Puvirnituq

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1959

Type of aircraft:

Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso)

Operator:

Registration:

CF-IHB

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

CV-294

YOM:

1941

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The departure from Puvirnituq harbor was performed in foggy conditions. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the pilot-in-command made a turn to the left when the left engine lost power. The seaplane lost height and crashed into the bay, few dozen yards off shore. All 12 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Probable cause:

Loss of power on the left engine shortly after takeoff due to the presence of water in the fuel supply system.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Nakina: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1958

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

CF-BSJ

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Nakina – Fort Hope

MSN:

N29-25

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Nakina to Fort Hope on a cargo flight, weather conditions worsened and the pilot decided to return to Nakina. On approach, the left wing failed and detached, causing the airplane to crash in flames few km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Detachment of the left wing in-flight caused by the failure of several bolts located on the wing-root.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson V in Desolation Lake

Date & Time: Jun 14, 1957

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

CF-GRU

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

BRC-1476C

Location:

Desolation Lake

Northwest Territories

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft crashed on landing at Desolation Lake. The accident occurred in snow falls. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso near Timmins

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1956 at 2035 LT

Type of aircraft:

Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso)

Operator:

Registration:

CF-FAR

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Kapuskasing – Timmins

MSN:

CV-415

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The seaplane departed Kapuskasing Airport at 2015LT bound for Timmins. Twenty minutes into the flight, the left engine lost power, following few seconds later by the right engine. As the altitude could not be maintained, the crew attempt an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in a wooded area located near Timmins. All three occupants were evacuated, the copilot was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Due to fuel starvation, both engines stopped and an immediate forced landing was made. For reasons which were not determined, an electrically-operated fuel valve failed to function properly and prevented the flow of fuel from the right tank.